I’ve always been a writer- for a while, I thought I wanted to major in English in college. Become an author, you know, live novel to novel. But then I realized how much I hated the technical grammar side of things (who cares what a past participle is, anyways?), so that dream died. Fortunately, blogging exists! So I can pair my love of photography and my love of writing into one big wonderful photo/verbiage sandwich!
One of my favorite things to blog about is the “how-to” side of photography- my Lessons Learned series is one of my favorites! I hate to admit it, though, but I’m struggling for ideas to blog about (you see how I ended that sentence with a preposition? My 9th grade English teacher would have murdered me for that). Every time an idea for a new posts occurs to me, there’s a part of me that says “no one’s going to read that, and if post that that, it won’t get a SINGLE COMMENT.” Isn’t it sad that I’m motivated by blog comments, or the lack thereof? I have a notebook on my desk where I jot down new blogging ideas as they come to me, but I need y’alls help in order to know which ones would actually be helpful!
What do YOU want to read about? What sort of posts are the kind you get really excited about? Are there any specific types of tutorials or “here’s what I use” kind of things you’re hoping to see? Or general topics you’d love to read more of? If so, I’d love to hear- go ahead and leave your thoughts in the comment section. This kind of thing is always better with an incentive, so it’s time for a giveaway :). We haven’t done one in a while, so I figured we were due!
Up for grabs is a choice of either a $30 Regal Cinemas giftcard, because you guys know how much I love the movie theater, or a $30 Starbucks giftcard, so you can go get whatever non-pumpkin spice latte drink I know you’ve been craving (caramel brulรฉe latte, anyone?). All you have to do to enter is leave a comment with some feedback in regards to types of posts you’re hoping to see, things you’d love to learn, etc. Although, posts that enumerate on the cuteness of my dog will also be considered.
Winner will be announced on next week’s Monday Mash-Up, so you have until then to enter! Happy Thursday!
Lessons Learned: Writer’s block
September 26, 2013
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I’d LOVE to hear more about your posing – your couples always look so completely natural and comfortable in front of your camera, like you really are capturing true moments instead of posed moments. As much as you’re willing to share, I’d love to hear about how you direct your couples to produce the images you are so known and loved for! ๐
I love all your tutorials! And I actually really really miss your vlogs. Gabby Tuesday was one of my favorites! I would love to hear more about how you pose your couples and possibly a behind the sense of what you do at a shoot! ๐
Definitely Gabby Tuesday! I like when there is a mix of formats to ‘interact’ with you on your blog — it keeps things fresh. It might be helpful to hear about some of your processes in regards to what you do after the wedding/shoot is over — uploading, culling, editing, etc. Are there limits to what you will send to someone? How long do you spend on these?
I was actually going to say what Rebekah already said, so that’s probably a great place to start. Aside from posing, one of the things that drew me into your work was the soft, lovely editing style you have. Maybe you could take us through your editing workflow or even just your workflow in general? It’s hard to think of questions that I haven’t already asked/learned at your workshop! ๐
Oh! Thought of one other thing (don’t count this as a second entry though, don’t want to cheat!)… How to get tack sharp images!
Definitely want to hear more about how it is going without a full-time steady job – you seem to always be busy though! Any regrets? Difficulty adjusting?
As a non-professional, it might be cool to read about more basic photography tips! What settings do I choose, why, under what circumstances, etc. It might also be cool to get some feedback from your couples/brides about their suggestions for how to look natural, how to get the best photos, what to wear to your shoot, that sort of thing. As I future bride, I love reading about the lessons others have learned. “Yes you absolutely need to leave 3 hours for photos before the ceremony” or “Make sure everyone has a mimosa and a laugh before the photographer shows up for ‘getting ready’ pictures.”
Those things said, I’m happy to just read about your jobs and look at all that gorgeous photography ๐
As a young person new to photography, I love ready about photographer’s early days. Maybe its mistakes you made or things you wish you learned sooner!! I love those retrospective posts ๐ I LOVE your blog and you are a fabulous writer!!!!
I’m on board with the posing topic as well! You have such beautiful and artistic posing that flows so naturally. I’d love to hear your methods and possible silly stories that put your clients at ease! And possibly your client workflow – how you build and develop your client relationships and whatnot. I always value that kind of information! ๐
I would LOVE to hear about your posing techniques. I feel like I can never learn enough in this area! Also, tips on how you draw clients to you – advertising? SEO? Word of Mouth?
Hear hear to the other work flow and posing comments! Your couples always look so natural and in the moment – which is one thing that drew me to your work and blog too!
I would really love to hear more about the business side of your business – how you stay organized with clients, keep track of profit & expenses – all those not so fun details about owning your own business! ๐
What about a “what to wear” for shooting different types of session (especially weddings). ๐
Hi Abby! I’d love to hear about camera basics…maybe a weekly tip for using more advanced settings on the camera. I love all your blog posts! Also, any editing tips for pictures would be great, too.
I would love to here more about your posing, and like a really good editing work flow!! ๐ your posing style is just so natural and I love it!!!!!
I’d love to see more boudoir style shoots or comments on why you do/dont do those styled shoots. Why you dont use shot lists. Why things work for you as a wedding photographer. What makes the best bride? The best engagement session? How do you handle bad weather? How do you handle when you are just “not in the mood”? do you have a go-to pose? How do you help people who have trouble looking natural when smiling? What are some of your biggest pet peeves- with venues, brides, grooms, having dogs in a session, etc.?
Hi Abby! I would love to see some more posts about how you came to find your style in photography. I’m struggling with this and also finding what niche of photography you really wanted to focus on. Also, it would be great to see behind the scenes photos/video clips of you working! The third thing that would be really interesting is to see how you tackle getting group photos at weddings while still having them look like your style and keeping everyone in focus with a shallow depth of field. Thanks!!! Great post!
I would love to hear about your workflow process and how you schedule your days. I find it hard to make time for blogging so tips on keeping a schedule would be fantastic!
One thing that I have seen other photography bloggers do is invite the readers to share pictures and vote on the best one or say what you like about it. This would draw the readers in and help budding photographers get some critique.
Hi Abby! I’d love to hear more about how you prepare for a couples shoot. You have such a variety of poses you use. Do you have a look book that you refer back to, do you have a pinterest board of poses that you use as your “go to”? Or, do you just wing it and go with the flow depending on the couple? I get worried that all my poses will start to look the same and I want to be able to keep each and every shoot fresh and different from previous ones. Thanks!
I would love to see a blog your progression from your first wedding until now!
How about what a typical (as if there is such a thing) week runs for you? When do you schedule morning sessions? When do you edit/answer emails? When do you take puppy breaks? ๐
I would love to hear what’s going through your head when you walk into a session-why you choose to shoot where and certain patterns of light you always look for. ๐
You may have already covered this — or it might not be in your realm of things you would like to post on. But us future brides are curious what adds to a good engagement shoot on our end? What to wear/makeup/hair/nails etc.
What are things the bride can do on her side of the lens? I am sure you’ve had a moment when you edit a picture that is just right… the bride picked a great outfit, it didn’t take away from your shot, her nails looked classic, her hair is flowing perfectly. These are the types of things that I just do not even know where to begin with!
So many good suggestions already! I would love to hear more about your reception lighting/flash set up. I’m also definitely with Rebekah & Tessa about how you get such natural, fun poses. A behind-the-scenes video would be awesome!
The anniversary photo shoot is so exciting to me! Do you incorporate that in your wedding packages? Celebrating anniversaries for more than wedding days could blossom! Love you and your work and your cutie pie dog,
I would love to hear more about the basics–it is so common for people to own a DSLR and have no idea how to use it! Or how you started with film!
Oh man… can I just second ALL of the above comments?! Lol. Guess that would be cheating.
I have to say, the fist thing I thought of was that I miss Gabby Tuesday! Getting to SEE and HEAR you made it just feel like I KNEW you. I mean, I guess I DO know you, you were my wedding photographer… but, video is so much more personal then just type.
I definitely would be interested in “what to wear” type sessions… or how to pick a location… or anything like that. I just don’t know what to DO when I am the one being photographed. What do I wear? What makeup is best? How to pose or act or stand? I just feel pretty clueless.
Still interested in Boudoir, too, although I am not sure if you do that any more or not. If so, I’d like to hear more about it… maybe like, how to find a photographer. I feel like it is a pretty hush hush thing, because it is so personal… but I also feel like if it was talked about in a professional, respectful way more often, then more woman would do it.
I love reading posts where you talk bluntly about real life – what you’re learning, giving yourself grace, etc. I also love the Classics series! Pearls, little black dresses…. it’s so fun!
I know you’ve mentioned your previous day job & leap to full-time photography. I would love to hear how you managed and what your photography schedule was like when you maintained a day job as well. I have done both for years now and just cannot seem to ever get caught up or feel like I have a productive work-flow. Any tips would be wonderful!
I would love to hear some of your tips on posing, transitioning poses, etc. I always fear I’m going to make someone look so “awkward” in a pose. How do you pose your clients, but still make them look relaxed?
Abby, I would absolutely love to hear more about how you’ve started in this industry and a walk through of your growth as a photographer and also as a woman. Your style is so very your own, so can you walk us through your process into growing to the photograph you are today?
Thank you so much!!!
Well it looks like several people had my idea as well! I had two thoughts:
1) your personal story! I know you’ve posted little snippits of why you became a photographer and how that passion developed, but I’d love to read posts of in more detail your journey! Even big lessons you’ve learned, how God solidified this passion/calling, etc. Moments that have stood out in your journey essentially.
2) Posing! Coming from someone who has posed for photographers, I always felt awkward (and probably looked awkward, too, ha!) but your photos seem so effortless and natural. Maybe you could talk about different poses you do and for what occasions (I’m assuming head shots are different than weddings, anniversaries, engagements, etc). You photograph a variety of occasions so it would be cool to hear about the different poses you use and why!
Also.. I always read your blog but usually don’t comment hehe so even the blogs where you may not have a lot of comments, know they are still well-read! Love your writing.
Oh I forgot, I loved the vlogs too!!
I’d love to see a “what to wear to an engagement session (clothes, hair, makeup, accessories, etc.)” and a “top 10 tips for preparing for your engagement session/wedding photos.”
I would love to know what has helped you grow the most. For example, a book, a certain workshop, etc.
Hey Abby! Your blog is always a positive, intriguing, and enjoyable read! Your tutorials are always very thorough, I LOVE reading those! They are always so helpful, and also inspiring. I think it’d be really great to see more tutorials, and maybe you could even give us some homework sometimes! I’d love to see how others interpret your teachings :]
Besides the tutorials and photo posts though, I really love the ones where you open up to your readers, you’re always very honest and easy to relate to. It’s really great that you always appreciate feedback and are also very helpful at giving that to others.
I’d really love to see a post specifically on your favourite equipment to use, and why! What are some of your best tips for getting that breathtaking shot (because you’re REALLY GOOD at this!!!)
Thanks Abby Grace ๐
I would love to read about your editing process! From culling to exporting… I would also love to read about what you feel like your biggest mistakes were in the first few years of your business or your greatest lessons learned (could be one & the same?) and how your business changed/grew as a result of them. I also love your videos that you do! ๐
Amazing suggestions by everyone…I would love to add FILM!! I think an online series exclusively on film would be great! I just recently (2 months ago) inherited a film camera from my father in law, and honestly i did not have much interest in using film until he left his camera for me!! So now i want to learn as much as possible about it!
As a lot of people have said, I’d love to hear about how you pose couples. But beyond that, I’d love to learn how you talk with your couples in the moment as they struggle with feeling awkward or any variety of feelings!
I second those who mentioned your flawless posing, your adventures in learning film (and advice for those who are learning), what a typical week looks like at AGP, and advice for photographers who are looking to make that leap into working two jobs to being a full time photographer! I always love your posts, and look forward to reading more after you’ve had time to consider this feedback! xoxo!
I, for one, would like at least one post a week on Lily. MINIMUM.
I think it’s nice to be balanced. Some posts about lighting, posing, film, workflow etc. And others about life and little things ๐
hey! i would LOVE to learn more about your business side of photography: contracts, pricing guides, lighting techniques ( i guess that’s more technical side haha), client gifts?, how do you know if you’re ready to teach?, what makes your brand YOU, etc! haha. i love reading your posts and learning from you! i’ve been terrible at commenting lately, because i’ll save your post to my laptop, then read it at work when i don’t have internet! do know they get read! thanks for being so awesome and sharing your brain all the time! ๐
I would love to see how you do a wedding day. I’d also love to learn how you talk to and pose your couples! That would be super helpful.
Seems like you’ve already gotten a lot of feedback but I will add my two cents in their too! Posing tips would be awesome as well something on your lighting set-up please! ๐
Oh, I know what you are talking about. But I love your Blog! YOu are so good with blogging! I looove Mondays and check every Monday with a happy thought in my head on your Blog. I also like the Lesson learned posts and I was wondering if you have writers which inspire you. I mean style wise? Who do you look up to? Or did you read books about witty writing (would be a funny title) Do you have blogs you go to just because they are written tremendously well? This is really something Iยดm searching inspiration for.
Thank you so much Abby!
BTW, Iยดm a English Major as well ๐
Have a great weekend!
~ Saluti.
I’m sure it’s already been suggested, but I would love to get any tips on taking better photos with my phone. Your instagram photos are always so great and I would love to know how you do it!
You know that you’ll have at least one reader because your Granng thinks you are a rock star! Love you!
I’m going to echo the “what to wear” posts, both for weddings and for more casual portrait/engagement shoots! I always love seeing other photographers’ perspectives on that!
I’m fairly new to your blog so maybe you do this, but I always love photographers’ end of the year recap with behind the scenes photos… fun peek into how you work!
Not a photographer but I am a marketer and am always interested in learning how small business owners use marketing.
I’ll take more of the pup ๐
..on a serious note, I LOVE LOVE LOVE sunrise sessions ๐
I love behind the scenes info, sneak peeks, posing tips, the classics series, and how you’ve set up your business on the back end!